UK visit, next summer. Advice please?

[Sundowner]

Early next year, my wife, Sandy, finally joins me in the ranks of the retired and we're planning a trip to the UK in June/July/Aug. Primarily so she can visit the remains of her family. She's originally from Stoke.
We've already got some of the usual museums and other attractions sorted out, but I was interested to hear your views on what "motoring/automotive" events/attractions we should attend.
The only ones we've listed so far are the Classic/Historic meeting at Silverstone in July and a visit to Red Bulls F1 visitor centre.
So, car shows, race meetings, (Not the F1 GP), manufacturers visitors centers, garages, museums, virtually anything automotive.
Also, do you have any tips on reasonably priced rental cars? Which companies & where they're located? We hope to pick up a car close to Heathrow or in London and drop it back about 6 weeks later.
My thanks in anticipation,
Cheers,
Rob
Australia

[cliftyhanger]

Like Mercs? if so Brooklands is worth a look, especially as merc have an HQ there.
Beaulieu can be interesting. Coventry motor museum. Maybe even one of the big Triumph bashes?

As to cars, buy a dolomite on sale or return!

[marko]

I'm down in sunny south devon. a few miles from the coast and a few miles from Dartmoor. if you need anywhere to stay down here then I have a couple of spare bedrooms or a garden if you'd like to camp or stay for a couple of days. my house is very free, easy and open so you can come and go as you please with your own key.
there's a few big car shows on down here namely the powderham castle car show which is massive or lots going on around Bristol.
have fun, mark.

[Carledo]

Gaydon has to be worth a visit, TSSC show at Donington and Retro rides at Shelsey are both in easy striking distance of Stoke and both great shows, donington for Triumph but not so much for Dollys and RRG for wacky customs and modified cars of all sorts. If you are still here in September, I can also recommend the Hot Rod Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway (dragstrip) near Stratford on Avon. Its a 3 day meet and features some of the best old school hotrods (including T-buckets) in the UK giving it welly on the strip! PM me a bit nearer the time and I'll find something to rent you from my fleet for reasonable money!

Steve

[Sundowner]

Clive, Mark & Steve,
"Thank You" gentlemen, for the great suggestions.
Some of them are already being worked into our schedule and I expect more will be, in the weeks to come, as all this info will help us to make our UK holiday all the better.
I'm really looking forward to this trip as it will probably be my last big overseas adventure. A highlight of the adventure will be our return journey, where we hope to travel from London to Hong Kong all the way by train.
Once again, "Thank You" for both the information you've provided and your time/efforts in providing it.
Its very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Rob

[SprintMWU773V]

If you like static shows then there's usually 2 shows per year at Tatton Park, this is a very big show with a lot of different cars there. Dates usually in June and August.

I can totally understand why someone would move from Stoke to Aus, quite fancy doing the same myself!

[cliftyhanger]

Just a thought, Goodwood Festival of Speed? that would be about teh best thing ever.... or later in the year the Revival. Neither cheap, but well worth a visit.

Stay to October and do the RBRR? (entries open soon!)

[lazeruspete]

i would highly recommend the Silverstone Classic in late July, this may be the meeting you mentioned in your original post.

http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/press ... p-For-2016

a great weekend all round and usually great evening entertainment(Status Quo played on the saturday night this year)